What is Dercum’s Disease Dercum's disease is an extremely rare disorder characterized by multiple, painful growths consisting of fatty tissue (lipomas). These growths mainly occur on the trunk, the upper arms and upper legs and are found just below the skin subcutaneously. Pain associated with Dercum's disease can often be severe. Pain may be caused by these growths pressing on nearby nerves. Dercum's disease mainly occurs in adults and more women than men. In some cases, individuals may also experience weight gain, depression, lethargy, and/or confusion. The exact cause of Dercum's disease is unknown. Synonyms of Dercum's Disease Adiposis Dolorosa Fatty Tissue Rheumatism Juxta-Articular Adiposis Dolorosa Lipomatosis Dolorosa Morbus Dercum's Symptoms The characteristic finding of Dercum's disease is the slow formation of multiple, painful growths consisting of fatty tissue (lipomas) that are found just below the surface of the skin. Pain may vary from mild discomfort when a growth is pressed or touched to severe pain that is disproportionate to the physical findings. Pain can last for hours and may come and go or last continuously. In severe cases, pain may worsen with movement. The exact reason for pain associated with Dercum's disease is unknown, but may occur because the lipomas press on nearby nerves. Lipomas may be found in any part of the body, although they are rare in the head and neck. The trunk, upper arms and upper legs are most often affected. Some individuals with Dercum's may experience swelling of various areas of the body, especially the hands. Swelling occurs for no apparent reason and often disappears without treatment. Significant weight gain is a common occurrence for most individuals affected by Dercum's disease. Additional Symptoms Fatigue Generalized weakness A tendency to bruise easily. Headaches Irritability Stiffness after resting, especially in the morning. An association with bouts of depression, memory or concentration problems. Susceptibility to infection has been noted in some cases. Arthritis. High blood pressure (hypertension). Congestive heart failure Sleep disorders Dry eyes Myxedema (a condition due to an underactive thyroid that is characterized by dry skin, swelling around the lips and nose, and mental deterioration.) Causes The exact cause of Dercum's disease is unknown. In most cases, Dercum's disease appears to occur spontaneously for no apparent reason (sporadic). Some have suggested that Dercum's disease may be an autoimmune disorder- a disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. Disturbances in endocrine function and improper breakdown (metabolism) of fat have also been proposed as potentially playing a role in the development of this disorder. Standard Therapies Diagnosis A diagnosis of Dercum's disease is suspected based on a detailed patient history, a thorough clinical evaluation and identification of characteristic multiple fatty growths. Surgical removal and microscopic study (biopsy) of affect tissue confirms that these growths are lipomas. Treatment Specific treatment exists for Dercum's disease. Treatment is directed toward the specific symptoms that are apparent in each individual and is primarily focus on easing the characteristic painful episodes. Various painkillers (analgesics) have been tried with limited effectiveness. Injections of corticosteroids have also been used to treat individuals with Dercum's disease. Surgical excision of fatty tissue deposits around joints may temporarily relieve symptoms although recurrences often develop. Liposuction has been used as a supportive treatment for some individuals with Dercum's disease and may provide an initial reduction in pain and improvement in quality of life. Psychotherapy and consultation with pain management specialists may be helpful for enabling affected individuals to cope with long-term intense pain. Affected Populations Dercum's disease affects females more often than males with some reports citing the disease is as 20 times more common in women. Dercum's disease can affect individuals of any age. The majority of cases are women between the ages of 45-60, especially overweight, postmenopausal women. Although an extremely rare occurrence, it has been reported in children. Source: Ms Sruthi, Volunteer